What Career Path..besides IB?

I will attending McCombs next fall, and i've been wanting to do IB for a while. I've browsed through this site and its clear that a lot of people want to break into IB and Finance in general. Also, i've realized that there are MANY more options besides IB from a semi target.

For example, I don't want to dedicate my first 2 years in college thinking I want to do IB, then realize I like FX Trading better. If someone could give me a clear picture of how I can determine which field is best for me, that would be amazing.

As of now, hedge fund trading(Global Macro or Distressed) seems the most interesting and thrilling path, but its unlikely I will find a job post-college at a HF.

I have considered everything from FX trading in London, to a tiny 10 people HF, to trying to get an IB job. Needless to say, i can't decide. As many monkeys here like to say, 'I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground', so I am hoping you guys can help me. Also, future monkeys can look at this thread and decide which field is best for them.

I don't think your position is an uncommon one, and that's exactly why so people go into banking after undergrad. It's a fairly accessible gig that exposes you to a lot those other areas that you were talking about. I would argue that if you don't know what you want, but you know you want finance, banking is probably the best place to start. Not saying it's the only place, but not many other jobs are going to give you options that banking will.

Value investor working in the hedge fund industry.
Portfolio Manager, Analyst at a $380+ million Texas-based value investing HF.
Former Research Consultant, Analyst at a NYC-Based deep value and special situations HF.

@"DaveMCR" I cant quote you for some reason. Anyways, I read your story a couple days ago. Very nice! You made it sound so simple. Congratulations on your new gig. You commented a list of books which I am reading now to follow your footsteps.

For example, I don't want to dedicate my first 2 years in college thinking I want to do IB, then realize I like FX Trading better. If someone could give me a clear picture of how I can determine which field is best for me, that would be amazing.

I think you're overthinking this. Your first two years of college will be dumbass liberal arts courses, making friends, banging girls, drinking beer, maybe pledging a fraternity, etc. You will only take a handful of courses, if any, that apply to your future.

During this time, it doesn't really matter if you're focused on IB, or FX Trading, or you find something else completely out of nowhere. Get good grades, enjoy yourself, get involved in a club or group or two, and realize you're already way ahead of the game by even knowing about these options.